Mild weather control



A. v. sAmwsr-n. MILD, WEATHER CONTROL Filed Feb. 7, 1956 s eets shee t. 1

INVENTOR.

v flrZ/zur ad/@1788] Y BY ATTORNEYS M ay 4, 1937;

A. v. ISAMPSEL MILD WEATHER CONTROL Filed Feb. 7, 1936 Hill ll Ill/III/lrlI/I/I/ Il/I/I/II/I/m 4 Sheets-Sheet 2. v

INV EN TOR.

ATTORNEYS May 4,' 1937. A. v. SAMPSEL MILD WEATHER CONTROL 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 7, 1956- INVENTOR, flrizzr K Sam we! ORNEYS May 4, 1937.

, A. V.*SAMP$EL 5 MILD WEATHER CONTROL Filed Feb. 7, 1936 4 Sheet-Sheet ATTORNEYS Patented May 4, A

UNITED STATES PATEN omen" MILD WEATHER CONTROL Arthur V. Sampsel, La Fayette, Ind., assignor to Sears, Roebuck (a Company, Chicago, 111., acorporation of Delaware Application; February '1, 1930, no. cam

' c Qlaima. (01. 2364s This inventionrelates to a mild weather control for-hot air furnaces. At present the automatic stoker is generallyaccepted as desirable furnace equipment for private homes. The

greatest problem in theiruse pertains to theautomatlc control of a small fire in a furnace during relatively mild weather when' little. demand for heat is placed upon the furnace. Under I this condition the fire quite frequently burns out, and when the thermostat controlling the stokermotor finally demandsheat, the stoker will continue to feed'coal to the burnt-out fire until discovered. and rendered inoperative. This invention .eflectively; eliminatw this problem from stoker use by'providing a fire pilot control." It is also desirable to employ a blower or fan in conjunction with a warm air furnace which will provide a meansof carrying off, by adequate conduits, the cold', from certain parts of the heated house; circulating it through a suitable filter and the warm' air chamber and bonnet of the furnace, and thence driving it in warmed condition back into the rooms. -This invention combines the desirable feature of fire pilot control with the useof a blower for warm air fura 'means of operating the blower of a warm air furnace when a limitcontrol in the ,stoker motor circuit has rendered the latterinoperative, while the thermostat is still calling for heat.

40. These and other objects-are attained by the means'described in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

Fig, 1 is an .elevational plan view of the assembly of the devices which comprises the con- .45 trolling unit of my invention; the different devices being connected by a preferred wiring system; the blower, stoker motor and limit control being shown diagrammatically. Fig. 2 is an 'elevationalcross sectional .view 50 taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1. 1

Fig. 3 isa cross sectional view taken on line 3-4 of Fig. 2. 4 r

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatical view of the wiring system of the device.

I 55 Fig. 5 is a rear elevationalviewof a warm air furnace, the rear casing being broken away to "show the arrangement of parts, someof'the latter being shown in crosssection forclearncss. I

Fig. 6 is a simplified wiring diagram of the," device. 5 Generally, my device consists of a fire pilot control which has a time: controlled mechanism adapted to regulate the inclination of a pivoted mercury tube having a pair of switch contacts at its two extremities. The blower circuit .10 controlled by one pair of these contacts whilst the stoker. is operated through theother pair of contacts. The time controlled mechanism .gen-

'erally allows the mercury tubeto remain in the v inclined position which closes the contacts to the 15' blower but for a short predetermined time this the tube to close the contacts to the stoker mo-' tor. The 'last operation is devised to occur at regular intervals so that the stoker must'necessarily feed the fire at such times, thus keeping I it buming when there is'no demand for heat by the room thermostat.

The room thermostat is wired in the stokea motor circuit in the usual manner. A limit control located above the furnace bonnet, is placed 25 in the stoker motor circuit and acts to break the circuit when-the he'atin the bonnet becomes ex cessive; Thisthermostat stoker' motor circuit'ia independent of the fire pilot control circuit so that in relatively mild weather the fire pilot control will operate the stoker to feed a sufficient amount of coal to the fireto keep it burning, but in cold weather the thermostat, demanding heat, will operate the stoker motor in the usual manner.

As has been said, the blower mercury switch contacts are generally "closed, and are wired in series to the stoker motor-circuit which is 1 thermostatically operated. Thus when the thermostat demands heat. the stoker motor and the blower ,will operate in unison to furnish the re- 40.- ,quired heat to. the rooms. weather, the fire pilot control will operate the 7 However in mild stoker, the blower'being rendered inoperative .by v the necessary inclination of the mercury tube,-

the heat'of such stOker activity thereby being I allowed to remain about the furnace bonnet.

The blower mercury switch contacts are so wiredv in the stoker-motor circuit as'to permit the blower to operate when the furnace bonnet,

limit control has rendered the stoker' inoperative. 'I'he last'arrangement allows the blower tq' circulate coid'air', taken from the heated rooms; about the overheated furnace surface, thus driving the heat inthe bonnet down to a normal furnace temperature.

More specifically the embodiment of my invention consists of an instrument panel 3 (Fig. 1)

having mounted thereon a fire pilot control 3, an

electromagnetic switch I, an overload control 8 and a formica contact panel 3. The instrument panel may be enclosed in a suitable box 13 (Fig. 5) and placed on a warm air furnace II. Electriclty is introduced to the circuits through plug III by the power lines 3 and I20 which terminate at the contacts II and I2 positioned on the contact panel 3. Electromagnetic switch coils are connected to the feed contacts H and i2 by lead lines I3 and I4 respectively. A thermostat I3, positioned in a heated room, controls the action of the electromagnetic switch by being connected in its circuit by means of extension wires I3 and I3 which join wires 23 and 2i respectively by contacts I3 and I] positioned on the contact panel. when the thermostat is closed, it completes the circuit in the electromagnet coils, thus charging the core to draw the hingedly mounted arm 22 downwardly. This action of the arm also carries the U-shaped circuit breaker 223 downwardly to close the circuit contact points 23 and 24 thereby supplying current from the contact I2 to the stoker motor 23, by completing the circuit I3, I23, I2, 232, 23,220, 24, 23I, 233 and 23. The return lead 2'! of the stokermotor is connected to the contact 213, a wire 233 also engaging the contact being led to one side of the limit control 23 located above the bonnet in the furnace. Wire 23 runs from the limit control to the overload 3, a wire 33 being connected to the other side of the overload and the contact II to complete the stoker circuit.

The fire pilot control 3 comprises a synchro-. nous motor 3i connected on one side to the feed. lines by the electric circuit 3", 31, 33, II, and' H3 and upon its other side by the circuit 323, I4, I2 and I23. The 'motor is positioned on a plate 32 (Fig. 2) whilst an intermediate plate 33, fastened to the instrument panel 3 is held in spaced relation to the plate 32 by spacer rods 34. Reduction gearing, indicated generally as 33, have their bearings in the intermediate plate and the plate 32; The gearing is driven by a motor gear 33 and rotates the shaft 31 which has a shoulder portion 33 provided to engage a cam 33 fastened to it by a set screw 43. The motor preferably rotates the camin a clockwise direction, at the speed of one revolution per hour.

An indicator plate 4i, fastened to the motor. by bolt 42, is held in spaced relationship to panel 3 by a rod 43. A mercury tube switch 44, held by a clamp 43 is pivoted on a rod 43. One end of a bell crank lever 41 fastened to the clamp is adapted to engage the periphery oi the cam 33'. A weight 43 (Fig. 3) positioned on the free end of the lever is provided to allow the lever to continually engage the periphery of the cam.

The periphery of the cam is made on an increasing radius and at the point of greatest radlus has an oflset portion 43. It is evident that the cam controls the inclination of the met! cury tube and since the periphery of the cam is generally of small radius the tube will be held in the inclined position indicated in Fig. 1. In this position the pair of switch contacts 33 which operate the blower will be closed. One oi these contact points is connected to the contact 233 01' the supply line 23 by wire II. The other contact point is wired to contact 32 by line "and then led by wire is to the blower II, A I?" turn wire 33 runs to the contact 3'! which is connected to the feed contact II by wire 33.

When the cam has rotated so that the end of the bell crank lever engages a portion of the periphery of greatest radius, the mercury tube will be inclined so that the pair of switch contacts 39 at the other end of the tube, will be closed, thus opening the blower contacts 33. Switch contacts 33 close the stoker motor circuit by allowing electricity from teed contact I2 to be led by wire I4, then to wire 33 and the contact 33 and thence by lead 3| to the motor circuit lead 23, through the stoker motor 23, the limit control 23, the overload 3 and back by wire 30 to the feed contact H.

It is desirable to provide a means of regulating the length of time of stoker actuation by the fire pilot control. This is accomplished by providing an adjustable plate 32 to which the mercury tube pivot rod 43 is positioned. The adjustable plate is movably held by screw 33 to the indicator plate 4|. A curved slot 34 in the plate 41, allows the rod 43 to move with the adjustable plate to regulate the relative position of the mercury tube switch to the cam 39. A set screw 63 riding in a curved slot 33 holds the adjustable plate in any desired position indicated by the calibrations 333 on the indicator plate 4|. By this means the eflective length of cam periphery necessary for tilting the mercury tube switch to the position for closing the stoker contacts, may be varied as shown by the words Short" and Long on each side of the'calibrations 33.

Operation: For purposes of cleamess I now 'refer to the simplified wiring diagram of the device as disclosed in Fig. 6 in which the reference numbers employed in the foregoing specification have been used as far as practicable. Under normal cold weather conditions the thermostat I3 will demand heat when the room falls below a predetermined temperature. The thermostat will therefore operate to close the circuit in the coils of the electromagnetic switch I which are energized from the electric plug III by circuits I3, II3, I4, I23 thereby allowing the circuit contacts 23 and 24 to be closed to complete the electric circuit I3, Ill, 2", 23, 24 and 23 to the s lrer motor 23. Current then flows tothe contact 23 where it continues to the stoker motor 23. The return wire 21 connects the stoker motor to the limit control 23 and the circuit is completed by line 23 to the overload 3 and line 33 to the feed line 23. Normally the mercury tube switch is inclined so as to close the blower switch contacts 33 and thereiore a wire 3| led from the stoker motor supply line 23 will carry current to the contacts 33 which is returned by wire 33 to the blower 33. A return wire 33 is connected to the other side oi the blower 33 which communicates with feed line I23. In this manner the stoker andthe blower work in unison 'switch contacts 33. A circuit will then be set-up from feed line H3 and wire' 33 and the switch contacts 33. A return wire 3I leads to the stoker motor supply line 23 and thence to the stoker 23. The current is completed by line 21, limit control 23, wire 23, overload control 3 and wire 15 II to the feed line III. A current will not be sent to the blower because the blower contacts Iii are necessarily opened when stoker contacts 59 are closed. The blower being inactive, the heat of the stoker activity will to some extent, remain about the furnace bonnet and warm air chamber.

device also acts to prevent excessive heat from remaining about the furnace bonnet and warm air chamber. vUnder conditions that require the thermostat to demand heat in such quantities as to make the limit control break the stoker motor circuit, the blower will continue to ,operate to carry on the excessive heat in the bonnet thus driving the temperature down to a normal one. This is accomplished by making the electric circuit i0, ll0, 2lil, 23, 24,. 25, BI, 50, ll,

. l5, 8! andl2I. Because the limit control l-is opened'the stoker motor circuit 25, 2t, 21, 28. 2|, 8, I0, III will remain inoperative.

I prefer to employ a warm air furnace Ii as set forth in Fig. 5 in conjunction with my mild sageway. .The central compartment 80 has a boiler plate furnace ll located centrally thereof.-

'A radiator 82 having a flue pipe connection. 83

and a clean out door I4 is located behind the furnace. The limit control 28 is positioned on a-suitable support 05 above the bonnet 88 of the furnace. The third compartment 81 contains a conventional air circulating blower l5 capable of drawing air from its'twoaxial sides and forcing it into the central compartment Ill. One side of the blower communicates by an'air conduit 88, located at the rear of and beneath the radiator, with the compartment I5. Cold air from the heated 'ro'omsis thereby drawn through the pipe 89 and-passes through the interchangeable air filters "into the conduit 88 and thence to the blower to be forced from. the latter through an opening 9i into the compartment so. Cold 1 air is also drawn'through pipe 92 and filters 83 into; the other side of the blower and thence forced into compartn'ient Oil. The circulating airzis warmed by passing around the radiator and the boiler plate furnace and returns to the heated rooms by pipes. In this manner, it will'be understood, the cold air from the room is conditioned for'its return to the rooms. My controls are. suitably mounted in a conventional metal box is positioned on the front casing of the furnace and accessible by a door opening voutwardly from the front casing. With reference to Fig. 1 the insulated wire 95, comprising the wires and ltleads from an opening inback of the control box 10 to the thermostat is located in the heated room. The insulated wire 96 consists of wires 54 and 58 and connects the blower 55 with the control box. The limit control 28 is connected withbox 10 by the insulated double wire lead 91 whilst theinsuiated wire 98 carryingwires and 21 connects the box with the" stoker motor; I

It is to be understood that my: mild weather control can be employed satisfactorily in connection with an electrically operated means for Q actuating the heat" oirculating means, as for example, where a circulating pump is used to contacts are closed.

l 3 stimulate the circulation of not water. Ifthe leads M and 56 would be wired'to the actuating means of the circulating pump. Also my controls may be employed where an electrically operated means is used for actuating the feed sup-. I .ply means such as an oil burning furnace hav- In this case the leads 2! and 21 would be wired to the means for actuing a circulating blower.

ating the oil feeding means. 1 What is claimed is: Q Y

1. In a circulating warm air furnace-stoker control, the combination of a'stoker motor, a circuit for the motor, a thermostat adapted to open and close the circuit, an electric blowen.

a circuit for the blower connected in parallel with the motor circuit and opened and closed by the thermostat, switch contacts in. the motor circuit and in parallel with the thermostat. a time controlled mechanism adapted to open and close. the switch contacts in the motor circuit. at regular intervals of time, andswitch contacts connected in series in the blower circuit adapted to close the blower circuit when the motor circuit switch contacts-are open and to open theblower circuit when the motor circuit switch 2. In a circulating warm air furnace-stoker control, the combination of a stoker motor, a cirq cuit .for the motor, a thermostat adapted to;

open and close the circuit, an electric blower,

controls were used in-this connection, the blower a circuit for the blower connectedin parallel,

in the motor circuit and opened and closedby the thermostat. a mercury tube, a pivotal mount-- 1 I ing for said tube, switch contacts for the motor circuit located in one end ofthe mercury tube and in parallel with the thermostat, a time controlled mechanism adapted to tilt the mercury tube to open and close theswitch contacts in the motor circuit at regular intervals of time, and switch contacts for the electric blower clrcuitlocated in the other end of the mercury tube and adapted to close the blower circuit when the motor cirb lower circuit-when the motor' circuit switch contacts are closed. 3. In a circulating warm air furnace-stoke! control, thecombinatio'nof a stoker motor. a

circuit for the motor, a thermostat adapted to open, and close the circuit, an electric blower, a circuit forsthe blower connected in parallel with the motor circuit and opened or closed by the thermostat, a fire pilot control comprising a cam, a synchronous motor-adapted to revolve the cam, apivoted mercury tube, a bell crank.

lever fastened to the mercury tube and adapted to engage the cam, the lever cooperating with the'cam to regulate the inclination of'the mercury tube. switch contacts for the motor circuit located in one end of the mercury tube and connected in parallel with the thermostat, said contacts adapted tobe opened and closed at' regular intervals of time by the fire pilot con trol, and switch contacts connected in series in the blower circuit, located in the other end of the mercury. tube switch and adapted to close the'blower circuit when the motor circuit switch contacts are open and to open the blower circuit \vhenthe motor circuit switch contacts are closed.

-4,- In a circulating warm air furnace-stoker control, the combination of-a stoker motor, a circuit for the motor, a limit control in serlesin the motor circuit, a thermostat adapted to open and close the circuit, anelectric blower, a circuit cuit; switch contactsare open and to open the for the blower connected in parallel to the motor circuit and opened and closed by the thermostat, a mercury tube, switch contacts for the motor circuit located in one end of the mercury tube and in parallel with the thermostat, a time controlled mechanism adapted to tilt the mercury tube to open and close the switch contacts in the motor circuit at regular intervals of time, and switch contacts for the electric blower circuit located in the other end of the mercury tube and adapted to close the blower circuit when the motor circuit switch contacts are open and to open the blower circuit when the motor circuit switch contacts are closed, the blower circuit thereby being rendered operative when the limit control has opened the stoker motor circuit provided the mercury tube switch contacts in the blower circuit are closed.

5. In a furnace of the class described, the combination of an electrically operated fuel feeding means, a circuit for the electrically operated fuel feeding means, a thermostat adapted to open and close said circuit, an electrically operated heat circulating means, a circuit for the electrically operated heat circulating means switch contacts for the electrically operated fuel feeding means are closed.

6. In a furnace of the class described, the combination of an electrically operated fuel feeding means, a circuit for the electrically operated fuel means, a limit control interposed in the circuit for the electrically operated fuel feeding means, a thermostat adapted to open and close said circuit, an electrically operated heat circulating means, a circuit for the electrically operated heat circulating means connected in parallel with the circuit of the electrically operated fuel feeding means and opened and closed by the thermostat, switch contacts in the circuit for the electrically operated heat circulating means and wired in parallel with the thermostat, a time controlled mechanism adapted to open and close the switch contacts in the electrically operated fuel feeding means at regular intervals of time, switch contacts connected in series with the electrically operated heat circulating means and adapted to close the circuit for the electrically operated heat circulating means when the switch contacts for the electrically operated fuel feeding means are open and to open the switch contacts for the elec-. trically operated heat circulating means when the switch contacts for the electrically operated fuel feeding means are closed.

ARTHUR V. SAMPSEL. 

